Here's the draft of the statement/recommendation created from our discussions on December 4, 2009. Please provide any feedback you think will enhance the draft.
The PAA reference committee wishes to strongly express concern that the addition of the ability to use a second language to meet the graduation requirements (2 credits from PAA or Arts Education) will create a perception of a lowered value being placed on the Practical and Applied Arts.This comes at a time when there is an increasing positive attitude towards occupations related to the practical and applied arts, particularly trade and skill-related occupations.While the committee recognizes the value of students learning a second language, we believe the addition of second language credits to the criteria for meeting the PAA/Arts Ed requirement will have a negative effect on the perception of the Practical and Applied Arts (and Arts Education), and doing so re-affirms the emphasis that has been placed on courses typically taken by university bound students in the past.
The PAA reference committee wishes to strongly express concern that the addition of the ability to use a second language to meet the graduation requirements (2 credits from PAA or Arts Education) will create a perception of a lowered value being placed on the Practical and Applied Arts. This comes at a time when there is an increasing positive attitude towards occupations related to the practical and applied arts, particularly trade and skill-related occupations. While the committee recognizes the value of students learning a second language, we believe the addition of second language credits to the criteria for meeting the PAA/Arts Ed requirement will have a negative effect on the perception of the Practical and Applied Arts (and Arts Education), and doing so re-affirms the emphasis that has been placed on courses typically taken by university bound students in the past.